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POTPOURRI 



•BY- 



JOHN JONES, JR. 



i i 



3^ 



POTPOURR 



BY- 



JOHN JONES, JR, 



x/ 






^\ 



JU: 






GKORGEToWN, KY., 

HOPKINS MOOKE cic CO.. 

1S9G. 



75 n<^^ 



COPYRIGHT, 1896 

BY — 

GRAVKS CRIl'MTII. kPV 






CONTENTS- 

I'aKe 

The Wrath of Achilles . . 5 

Edna Lane ... 29 

Rip Van Winkle . , . • 35 

Si^ns of Summer . . -39 

Ad Pueruni . . . 4^ 

Epigram . . . -4^ 

Return of vSpring . . .42 

A Night in March . . 43 

Beneath The Waves , . 44 

Epitaph . . . -45 

Ad Maecenatem . . .46 

Bridling Pegasus . . -47 

Sine Qua Non . . .48 

Welcome, April! . . -49 

Afternoon in February . . 50 

The Politician . . • 5^ 

The Lone (Trave . . .52 

Liues . . . -53 

Ad L. Sestium . . .54 

Reveries of a Bachelor . . 55 



I Remember, I Remember 


57 


A Winter's Night 


58 


Abstraction 


59 


Creation's Last 


60 


Ad Maecenatem 


. 6r 


E Pluribns Uniini 


61 


Ad \'enerem 


63 


Epigram 


. 64 


Ad Tarquatum 


- 64 


IvOve and Lead 


66 


On The Rounds 


• 67 


October 


68 


November 


69 


Note 


70 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 

(HOMER'S ILIAD, BOOK I.) 



Achilles' wrath, upon the Greeks did bring- 
Woes without number, Muse celestial, sing! 
That wrath which oft sent prematurely down 
The mighty soul of brave to Acheron; 
To whose lx)dy there 'neath the skies, 
The dog resorts and the vulture flies; 
Fulfilling was plan within the heart 
Of Jove, since first there stood apart 
Achilles and the regal son 
Of Argive Atreus, Agamenuion. 

WHiat goddess or what god abo\-e 
So occasioned it they strove? 
Throughout tlie Grecian camp there fly 
Apollo's arrows, and there die 



THK WRATH OF ACHILLES. 

Both man and beast, for old Chryses 
Had been ignored of Atrides. 

Coming unto the curved keels, 
His daughter to ransom, humbl}^ kneels 
Apollo's priest there on the sands. 
Sceptre and fillet in his hands: 
Praying her him the Argives all restore, 
But none than the sons of Atreus more: 

Grant the celestials Priam's palace burn! 
Grant you, victorious, speedy, safe return! 
But liberate my daughter dear, 
The price receive, Apollo fear. 

Then all the other Grecians greaved 
Declare the gifts should be received; 
But it displeased the haughty son 
Of Argive Atreus, Agamemnon. 
Hence, hence, old man; up and away! 
Let not thee catch a future day 
Among the ships, lest there fail 
Apollo's fillet thee avail. 
'Tis not my mind thy daughter to restore; 
Miles many distant from her native shore, 
Shall she busy ply the droning wheel. 
And grace my bed, until there steal 
Withering -Age upon her. Thus Atrides; 
And feared the priest, the word obeys. 
6 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



Silent he starts adown the sounding shore ; 
Distant, he aid of Sniintheus did implore: 

Hear me, god of the silver bow! 
Potent son of Jove, Apollo! 
If e'er thine altars smok'd along the plain 
With the fat thighs of goats and oxen slain 
By these hands, grant thou this request: 
Be Priam's soil by Grecian hero prest 
For each of these my unavailing tears! 

Thus Chryses spoke, and Phoebus hears, 
lyike unto the night descends 
The god enraged, within his hands 
The silver bow. Apart he sits 
The Grecians from, and hasty fits 
A winged arrow to the string; 
Loud does the l)ow of silver ring. 
Employs he first on dogs and mules his art, 
Men next fall beneath the deadly dart: 
Constant blaze the funeral pyres. 
Nine days he slew the comrades of our sires. 
But on the tenth, in wild alarms, 
Juno of the waxen arms 
Moves swift Achilles congress call 
Of the well-greaved Grecians all. 

O son of Atreus! (thus Achilles spoke) 
Mars and Apollo's remnant I convoke! 
7 



THK WRATH OF ACHII.LKS. 



Now let US slide each vessel down the steep , 
And homeward plough the might}' deep. 
But let some priest or prophet say 
Why so incensed the god of day; 
Whether for vows we fail fulfill. 
Or on account of hecatombs we kill. 

Then down he sat; and up from them arose 
Calchas.who Present, Past and Future knows: 
Who guide had been for all the Grecian host 
The main across, unto the Trojan coast. 
Slow by far of Grecian seers the best 
Achilles thus, beloved of Jove, addrest: 

O son of Thetis! bid you me explain 
Why Phoebus strews with bodies dead the plains. 
And so I shall; but swear me will avail 
Me mouth and hand, think I I shall fail 
The heart of Agamemnon please. 
Ruler of lands and seas. 
We should of mortals fear a king enrag'd, 
Though speedy chance his anger he assuag'd 
Yet unto that within his bosom pent, 
Some day will he give full — certain vent. 

Then swift Achilles Calchas thus addrest: 
Be bold,0 seer, — the secrets of your breast! 
By him I swear to whose hand you owe 
The gift of prophesy, Jove-loved A|X)llo, 
8 



THK WRATH OF ACHILLAS. 



So long as I enjoy the light of day, 

No Greek on Calchas heavj' hand shall lay: 

Not e'en the haughty, boasting son 

Of Argive Atreus, Agamemnon. 

Thus assured he courage took. 

On this wise the prophet spoke: 

Neither for vows we fail fulfill, 

Nor for hecatombs we kill; 

But for the reason old Chryses 

Was ignored of Atrides: 

Nor will Apollo cease to bend 

His awful bow, until we send 

Back to her sire the black-ey'd maid, 

Rans(,m without. The seer had .said. 

With eyes of fire, and anger in his breast, 
I'p then Atrides, and Calchas thus addrest: 
Prophet of evil! thou dost ever speak 
Words ungrateful to the ruler Greek, 
Me. Agamemnon. vSo 'tis I 
Incen.sed Apollo, that the people die? 
The maiden I within the tent retain. 
Hard by the shore of the sounding main, 
vSkill'd of hand, endow'd with ev'ry grace 
Percains to mind, to body, unto face, 
I, son of Atreus, do by far prefer 
My spouse unto. Queen Clytcnuie.sira: 
9 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



But if 'tis best I send the maiden hence, 
Let her depart. But some recompense, 
Lest of Greeks beneath the Trojan skies, 
Lest I alone be destitute of prize. 

Then up Achilles stood above the rest, 
And thus Atrides, king of men addrest: 

son of Atreus! ever seeking gain! 

No spoils in common heap for us the plain: 

Those things .seized behind a city's wall 

Divided have been, beyond recall: 

But if thou wilt restore the maid, 

Will see the Argives thee repaid, 

If ever Zeus, dread ruler of the skies. 

Give them well-wall'd Ilium a prize. 

Thus then spoke the regal son 
Of Argive Atreus, Agamemnon: 
Though like a god, be thou in this 
Deceived not, brave son of Thetis. 
Retainest thou the prize of thine. 
And biddest me relinquish mine? 
Fail the Greeks on me confer 
A gift will compensate for her 

1 dismiss, before the eyes 

Of Ajax will I bear his prize, 
Or that of sage Laert'ades, 
Or even thine, swift Achilles: 

ID 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 

And loudly will that hero storm 
To whose tent I shall have come. — 
But another time: now o'er the steep 
A black boat launch into the deep: 
Let a hecatomb be paid; 
Place on board the black-ey'd maid, 
Let rowers fit propel the bark 
Throu.s^h the foamin.^ waters dark: 
But Ajax go, or wise Uh'sses, 
Or Idomeneus, or swift Achilles, 
That we may with sacred deeds assuage 
Great Apollo's deadly rage. 

Then with a fierce and fixed look, 
Achilles thus to Agamemnon spoke: 
Fraught with boldness! ever seeking gain! 
How can a Grecian plow for thee the main? 
Before me blameless all the Trojans are. 
Not for their sakes come hither I to war: 
From Phthian pasture never Trojan led 
Bullock of mine; there safe the charger fed: 
Since mountains man}- intervene, 
And hoar}' Ocean rolls between. 
Lover of gain, dog-faced Atrides, 
For thine own sake we plow'd the surgy seas; 
That, woes inflicting on the Trojan race, 
Thy brother thou might'st rescue from disgrace. 
II 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



Dost thou threat my prize to bear away, 
O'er which I labored many a direful day? 
Though by this sword more heroes press the plain, 
Spoils divided, thine the greater gain. 
But I forthwith across the hollow roar 
Of aged Ocean seek the Pythian shore. 
What wealth will fill thy grasping hand, 
Achilles on a foreign .strand? 

Then Atrides stood above the rest. 
And thus Achilles swift of foot addrest: 
Fly, son of Peleus! forever quit the plain. 
If so it please thee! I ask thee not remain. 
There stands before me many a noble .son 
Of Mars will honor Aganiennion. 
Wars, fights, contention, do thee ever move: 
Though thou art brave, it is the gift of Jove. 
Thy curved keels launch thou o'er the steep 
Into the hoarse-resounding deep. — 
At home arriving, rule the Myrmidon: 
But thee obeys not Agamemnon. 
As the god demands it, I restore 

The maid luito her natal .shore: 

But in order that thou know 

How nuicli greater I than thou; 

That no other Grecian .say 

He an equal is to me; 

12 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



That no other subject dare 
Himself to Atrides compare, 
Before thy fiercely flashing e5'es, 
Will I bear thy blooming prize. 

Heavy the words upon Achilles prest; 
Thus he revolves within his stormy breast: 
Shall I stretch that boaster on the plain? 
Or shall the sword within its sheath remain? 
While thus in doubt, and drawing out the blade, 
Swift descends the fierce-eyed maid; 
For great Achilles and Atrides are 
The white-armed Juno's equal care. 
Behind him stood the goddess fair, 

And caught him b}- his yellow hair. 

Turning, trembling, did he recognize 

The warlike maiden of the skies: 

Wrapt in a cloud, to Thetis' son alone 

Was dread Minerva's presence known. 

Daughter of Jove, why hither hast thou come?- 

To see the wrong Atrides me hath done? 

That monarch's pride — give ear to what is said — 

Will swift destruction bring upon his head. 
Thy heart to cool, Minerva thus replies. 

Me sends the queen of the vaulted skies; 

For great Achilles and Atrides are 

The white-armed Juno's equal care. 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



Th}- rage repress, repress the sword; 
List thou to a certain word: 
Three times as nianj^ gifts will given be 
To him who suffers this great injur^^ 

Then Thetis' son Minerva thus addrest: 
Th}' words to heed, O Goddess! it is best. 
Obeying then the mandates of the maid, 
Within its sheath he hid the shining blade. 
Thence meanwhile the goddess hies 
Back to her mansion in the skies. 

But great Achilles, still boiling in his breast 
The son of Atreus sternly thus addrest: 
Wine-drinking coward ! never dost thou dare 
Great perils with the leaders share: 
Better it is before his eyes, 
To bear away an opponent's prize! 
By this my sceptre, the Achaian throng 
vShare for the son of Thetis long, 
When Hector heaps the Trojan plain 
With dripping mountains of the slain. 

Thus he spoke; and hurl'd against the ground 
His sceptre pierced with golden nails around. 

Then Pylian Nestor from his seat arose: 
From the monarch's mouth the honey flows: 
Now ages two had past for him away, 
Since he o'er Pylos began a gentle sway. 
14 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 

Like unto gods Inattention to my voice — 
Greece is afflicted; and Paris shall rejoice, 
If news of this to Trojan walls be spread, 
Priam be pleased, and Hector shall be glad. 
Be 3'oii persuaded ; men mightier in the fight 
Have failed the words of Pylian Nestor slight 
Theseus, Dryas, Pirithous I knew, 
Caeneus, Exadius, Polyphemus too. 
These with the Centaurs used to fight; 
Many they sent to the realms of Night. 
Oft sailing from my natal shore, 
With them I charged the tusky boar. 
These my counsel ever moved; 
And so it you, of Hera loved. 
Son of Atreus, bear not the prize awa}', 
For which he labored man}' a direful da)-; 
Pelides, cease: though a goddess bore 
Thee, he is greater, for her ruleth more: 
Thy wrath, Atrides, banish far awa)'; 
Likewise to do I swift Achilles pray; 
Let not the best of the Grecian band 
In wrath withdraw to a foreign strand. 

Then up Atrides stood above the rest, 
And Nestor, sage of Pylos, thus addrest: 
A seemly speech: but the Grecian band 
This fellow wi.shes to command; 
15 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



To hold o'er all the Grecians sway, 
Expects his mandates all obey. 
In fight he doth the gods approach, 
Shall he therefore speak reproach? 

Into his speech Achilles broke. 
Upon this wise Pelides spoke: 
Timid and worthless I should be, 
Were I to heed each word from thee: 
These things to others of the Grecian band, 
And not to me, O haughty king! command. 
Another thing I thee declare: 
Since thou dost the maiden bear 
From me away, — hear the word! — 
I cease to lift for thee the sword. 
On nothing else pertains to me 
Hard by the hoarse-resounding sea. 
Shall warrior, coming, heavy hand 
Lay, doing, coward, thy command. 
Attempt it, now, that these may know: 
Black blood for thee will instant flow. 

These then arose, dissolved the host 
Upon the gusty Trojan coast. 
The son of Peleus goes away 
His vships unto, adown the sea; 
Atrides launches o'er the steep 
A boat into the mighty deep: 
i6 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



A perfect hecatomb he paid; 
Placed aboard the lovely maid: 
When, seated all, without delay 
They 'gin to cut the liquid waj': 
Ulysses wise as leader goes, 
A band select of twenty rows. 

Themselves the people purify. 
And cast the filth into the sea: 
Then the fat thighs of goats and oxen .slain, 
For Smintheus smoke along the dust}' plain: 
Unto the skies the savour goes. 
Smoke — surrounded it arose. 

Neither did the king forget 
That he did Achilles threat: 
But Eurybates, Talthybius, by far the best 
Of th' heralds Greek, Atrides thusaddrest: 
Unto the tent of Pelides, 
And hither bring fair Briseis: 
But if he you refuse the fair. 
Coming with more, myself will bear 
The maid away; but it shall be 
Bitterer for him. Thus saying, he 
Then nough dismiss' d along the sea. 

So these, unwilling, adown the sterile coast, 
Finding, at length, Achilles and his host. 
Hard by his boats fleet, weather-brown'd, 
Achilles sitting the heralds found: 

17 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 

Neither did the sight of heralds these 
Rejoice the heart of god- like Pelides. 
Trembling and silent the heralds stand , 
Loath to do the monarch's harsh command: 
But the son of Peleus in his mind, 
Their coming's purpose easily divin'd. 
Hail, messengers of earth and skies! 
He thus unto the heralds cries: 
Before me blameless both you heralds are, 
Atrides I blame, who seeks the maiden fair. 
But come, Patroclus, hither lead the prize: 
Let these two witness before earth and skies: 
If me Atrides ever need again 
To ward ofT ruin from the Grecian train, ^ 
Hurtful his rage, the past him fails to teach 
How safe to fig"ht upon the sandy beach. 

Then brave Patroclus his comrade dear obeyed. 
And from the tent led out the captive maid : 
The heralds return to the Grecian host ; 
Unwilling she treads the barren coast, 
But Achilles withdrew from his loyal train. 
Tearfully gazing out over the main. 
Thus long he sat on the somiding shore. 
At length he aid of Thetis did implore: 

Mother! since days full few to me are given. 

Ought honor grant to me the king of heaven : 

i8 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 

But alas! before my eyes, the son 

Of Argive Atreus, Agamemnon, 

Bears away my well-earned prize. 

The fair-cheeked captive, Briseis. 

Thus, weeping. And from her father's side, 

Unto her .son the goddess Thetis hied. 

(Mi.st-like she rose above the waters wild): 

And him addres.sed : Why weeps my child? 

Discover me the spring of this thy woe: 

Conceal thou naught, that Thetis too may know 

Then deeply sighing from his inmost breast, 
His mother swift Achilles thus addrest : 
Thou knowest. Mother: why thee should I tell 
Things know.i to thee? the .sacred Theba fell 
Before our arms;the Greeks the spoils divide, 
Fair Chryseis choosing Atrides ruling- wide. 
But after coming to the curved keels, 
His daughter to ran.som, humbly kneels 
Apollo's priest there on the .sands. 
Sceptre and fillet in his hands: 
Praying her him the Argives all restore. 
But none than the .sons of Atreus more. 
Then all the other Grecians greaved 

Declare the gifts .should be received; 
But it displea.sed the haughty son 
Of Argive Atreus, Agamemnon; 
19 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 

Who harshly sends the aged priest away. 
In wrath he goes along the sounding sea ; 
When at a distance adown the sandy shore, 
Weeping, he aid of Smintheus did implore: 
Swift throughout the camp there fly 
Apollo's arrows: and the Grecians die. 
Then Calchas up, the people to explain 
Why Phoebus heap'd with bodies dead the plain. 
Then straightway me wide-ruling Atrides, 
The wrath exhorts of Smintheus to appease: 
Which I refusing, he with me loudly stormed 
And threat' nitigs uttered by him since perform'd. 
For he dismissing the maid of ebon eyes. 
Bear heralds from me fair-cheeked Briseis. 
But Mother beloved, unto the golden throne 
Of awful Zeus, if haply to thy .son 
He aid will lend; for oft in Thessaly 
Have I thee, boasting, Mother, heard to saj^ 
That thou alone didst ruin turn aside 
From him once, when he controlls the tide, 
And Pallas Athena, and she of rolling eyes 
Essayed to bind the terror of the skies: 
But Thetis arriving, Centimanus called; 
Who, stronger than Zeus, his father disenthralled 
The god released, the giant sat apart, 
And terror filled him each insurgent's heart: 
20 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



And this attempt to bind him was their last. 
Now when all this before his mind he past, 
Before him sit, his awful knees embrace; 
If he will aid the direful Trojan race, 
Unto the ships the blind Achaians bring, 
That they all may enjoy the wide-ruling king; 
That the monarch too his fault ma}^ recognize , 
Because he dishonored the best of his allies. 

Then Thetis thus unto Achilles speaks, 
Tears flowing fast adown her ruddy cheeks: 
Alas, my Son! had barren been my womb, 
Thou hadst not then been sitting thus in gloom; 
Sure thou art born beneath an evil heaven, 
For likewise days full few to thee are given. 
All this to Zeus the thund'ring when I go 
To yon Olympus capped with during snow. 
But sitting here by the restless main. 
The Grecians hate, from war refrain. 
Zeus and the other immortals j^esterday, 
To an Ethiopian banquet went away; 
But on the twelfth the father will return. 
And think I he will Thetis fail to spurn. 

Then she departs, Achilles thus addrest. 
Heavy his wrong upon Pelides prest. 

But sage Ulj-sses was arriving home 
With the maid and the hecatomb. 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 

They, arrived, the sails removed; 

The mast into its holding shov'd: 

Then propell'd with bended oar 

The ship unto the sandy shore. 

Then they out, the anchors cast, 

Tied with heavy cables fast: 

A hecatomb for Smintheus stands 

Loud lowing on the 3'ellow sands. 

Ulysses then upon his joyous breast 

His daughter plac'd,and Chryses thus addrest: 

Apollo's priest! I seek this sacred shore 
His rage to soothe, thy daughter to restore. 

Thus he spoke, and plac'd her in his hands: 
Grateful, he bows unto the yellow sands. 
Then round the altar the victims are in haste 
At even intervals by the people placed : 
Their hands they wash, themselves to purify, 
Taste the meal; his hands holding high, 
Thus prays the priest to powerful Apollo: 

Hear me, god of the silver bow ! 
Once thou didst thy gracious ear incline 
My pray'r unto: perform this wish of mine: 
Ruin for the Grecians banish far away! 

Thus he, praying; and Phoebus heard him pray. 
Then they the destined victims slew; 
The hide removing, and the entrails too: 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



The thighs cut off; and doubling these, 
Them heaped with fat and raw pieces. 
Moreover the priest upon the shrine 
The off' ring burns, and pours the wine: 
A youth of beauty by him stands, 
A five-pronged fork within his hands. 
The rest they then cut into bits. 
Carefully roasting them on spits. 
Their labor ended, a feast is spread. 
Of food no mortal stood in need. 
Dispelled the want of drink and food. 
Pours on the ground a purple flood. 
By these the day in song is partly spent. 
The god rejoicing at thepean upward went. 

When Phoebus set, and silent over all 
Night's ebon mantle slow began to fall. 
Unto the shore the Grecians go again, 
And sleep hard by the sounding main. 
But when Aurora flushes all the sky, 
Down they then unto the vessel hie: 
Raised the mast, spread the sails of snow; 
And Phoebus caus'd a wind propitious blow. 
Over the waves the vessel bounds, 
Beneath the keel the sea resounds. 
Coming at length to the Grecian host, 
They propt the ship on the sandy coast: 
23 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



Among the ships and tents they wind: 
Of wrath consumed Achilles find. 
No more he seeks the dusty plain ; 
But silent sits hard by the main. 

Now back the gods unto Olympus go, 
Olympus capped with ever-during snow: 
And Thetis, mindful of her child, 
Rose swift above the waters wild. 
To heaven she goes, the son of Saturn seeks: 
On the very highest of the Olympic peaks 
Him sitting finds, apart from all the rest; 
And thus the king of heaven high addrest 
( Now her left hand his awful knees embrac'd. 
Upon his chin the goddess' right was plac'd): 
Father Zeus! if ever I have done 
Aught aided thee, most wise one, 
Do not refuse to grant this praj^er: 
Upon Achilles, of few days, confer 
Honor, since now the regal son 
Of Argive Atreus, Agamemnon, 
Hath borne away his blooming prize, 
The fair-cheeked maiden, Briseis. 
Now let the Trojans heap the plain 
With dripping mountains of the slain, 
Until the Greeks — till Agamemnon 
With honor load my injured son. 
24 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



Thus Thetis spoke the yearning of her breast 
But silent Zeus, and nothing her addrest. 
But she ching close. Will you, father? say. 
Will you, now? tell me — yes or nay? 
What feareth Zeus, Saturn's awful son? 
But am I far the most dishonored one 
Of the deities? Then from his inmost breast 
Zeus deeply sighed, and Thetis thus addrest: 

Why , Thetis, wouldst thou drive me into strife 
With that goddess whom I took to wife? 
She of all posse.ssing endless days, 
Me most opposeth; and Hera says 
I aid the Trojans. But hie thee hence. 
Lest she see thee, thou give offense. 
Thy prayer is heard; but see me nod. 
The greatest sign from heaven's god. 
Aught I promise is true and fixed, 
When I thus nod with mj' holy head. 
He gave the nod, thus having spoke; 
His hair dishevel' d, and Olympus shook. 

Then Thetis leaps into the ocean down; 
Zeus unto the dwelling-place his own. 
Now each god up rises from his seat 
(Fearing await him), Saturn's son to meet. 
Thus sat he down on the golden throne; 
The recent presence of the godde.ss known 



25 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



Hera unto: who, boiling in her breast, 
In taunting terms the sire of men addrest: 
O wily Jove! which of the deities 
Shares the secrets of the starry skies? 
Though pleased to plot, I being apart, 
At no time hath it been thy heart 
To share with me the secrets of thy breast. 

Then Hera thus the sire of gods addrest: 
Though wife of me, hope not to know 
Every plan of my heart, Juno: 
Those are fit thou first shalt hear 
Of gods and men ; but thou forbear 
To seek to know things I apart 
From heaven's host, revolve in heart. 

Then thus the queen of the starry skies, 
Juno of the rolling eyes: 
Austere Zeus! what is it thou hasi spoke? 
Never have I upwn such silence broke 
Before this time: but now I fear that thee 
Sure 'suaded hath the daughter of the sea. 
Silver-footed Thetis: for she placed 
Upon thy chin her right, thy knees embrac'd 
With her left hand. Cloud-Compeller, why 
That mighty trembling of Olympus high? 
Upon Achilles honor thou wilt heap. 
But slay hard by the stormy deep, 
26 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



Of the Achaians many a noble son. 

Thus then Zens, clond-conipelHng one: 
Suspicious wretch ! silent sit and hear 
That commanded thine immortal ear; 
Lest all the gods of the vaulted sky 
Fail prevent my drawing nigh, 
And thee seizing. Thus he spoke; 
And with sheer terror Hera shook. 
The gods are groaning. Rising o'er the rest, 
Vulcan, th' artist, Hera thus addrest: 

Wherefore, possessing never-ending days, 
Over mere mortals such a tumult raise? 
Let the feast continue. Goddess I loye. 
Appease with words the wrath of mighty Jove 
For if he wants the world to overthrow, — 
For he the greatest is of all, well know. 

Thus he spoke: and noisy hobbling up, 
In Hera's hands placed the double cup. 
Mother, endure, however. sad; desist 
The mighty will of Saturn's son resist; 
Lest thee to punish these immortal eyes. 
Behold the terror of the vaulted skies. 
Powerless this arm to furnish aught of aid; 
Though L deep grieved, rashly it essayed. 
Thou wilt remember I did interpo.se 
Once for thee; when Saturn's son aro.se, 
27 



THE WRATH OF ACHILLES. 



And grasping tight the heel of Vulcan, hurl' d 
Him headlong from the striving upper world. 
All day I fell; and with the setting sun 
Touch the wild shore of the Lemnian. 
There they extract me from a cleft, 
When little life was in me left. 

Then Juno smil'd, the white-arm'd one; 
The bowl receives from her Vulcan. 
A beaker huge with nectar Vulcan crown'd. 
And awkward past the fluid sweet around: 
And as he around the circle goes, 
A mighty laughter from the gods arose. 
Thus the gods pass the entire day ; 
Wanting for viands, nor soft cithara; 
For Smintheus touch'd the trembling string; 
And sweet the Nine immortal sing. 
But the gods all-potent, ever- blest. 
At sunset end the happy feast. 
And homeward each unto his rest 
(Each god holds a mansion of his own. 
Built by Vulcan, artist of renown). 
To his bed the Thund'rer hied, 
Hera slumbering at his side. 
28 



EDNA LANE, 



EDNA LANE. 



As I at eve traversed a lonely lea, 

With busy thoughts of the buried Past, 

The great sun, hast'ning to his rest beneath the wave, 

At yonder mountain cast a parting smile. 

Bathing in beauty transient the steep, 

In splendor such as I had rarely seen! 

And as I stood in admiration fixed, 
'Way up the crag I spied a ruined hut. 
To all appearances deserted then. 
Deserted then of every living thing. 
To inspect the spot, I hither hied; 
But ere the summit half was gain'd, 
Exhausted with the steep ascent, sank down 
Upon an oak. that many years had lain. 
Thinking erelong to resume the arduous climb. 

How long I slept it imports not to know. 
But casting round to see if I but dreamed, 
Again I saw the lowly hut in view. 
But what strange light peers thro' its open door? 
Had it indeed an occupant, and false my first surmise? 

29 



EDNA LANE. 



And then I closer drew, the truth to know. 

Hushed was the matron's wheel and still; 
And higher hand than hers had trimmed the light, 
That stole so sadly o'er the floor and silently, 
E'en Cynthia's beams, wan Cynthia, mistress of the night. 
No sound was heard save the frequent plaint 
Of that lone bird the mournful owl. 
And it from truth were grossly wandering, 
To sa}' that I "went unimpressed away:" 

Here felt I, more strongly than before 
I'd e'er it felt, how soon all men must 
Yield to the valiant arm of Death, 
Our lives as vapor, that appeareth and is gone. 

Late sat I into the balmy night, 
Steadfastly gazing adown the maple-trees, 
With many a thought upon the ruined hut, 
Its former lord, his life, his death: 
In ignorance yet concerning which I'd be. 
Had not a tra^''ler seeking refuge from a storm. 
Once, upon request, detailed the story me. 

"Stranger," he began, "'tis now twelve ^^ears 
Since the lone hut on yon wild hill 
Last had an owner. 'Twas there dwelt 
A friend of mine — Wilfred Lane, by name, — 
His worthy spouse, and daughter beautiful. 

"Full oft have I beheld the matchless maid 
Building rich castles upon yon sandy shore, — 

30 



EDNA LANE. 



Only to have 'em washed by the dashing waves away. 
She loved her aged father, her mother kind adored; 
And when the former tilled the only field, 
To him was used to bring a sparkling draught 
From the crystal spring that bubbled 'neath the hill; 
And with the latter e'ershar'd she the household toils. 
Thus, friend, she lived until her fifteenth year, — 
And then a change — a woful change — took place. 

"One stormy night, when the waves ran high and fast, 
And whistling winds the leafless branches tossed, 
Wilfred sat listening to the music of the main , 
When suddenly he heard a cry of ' Help! help! ' 
And out straightway into the night he ran. 
Hard In' the deep, high on the strand he found 
A human form; and peering seaward thro' the darkness. 
Saw a brok'n, shatter'd, struggling ship go down. 
Old as he was, he on his shoulders bore 
The weighty remnant of that wild storm 
To his own cheerful fireside, where 
The lad erelong his strength regained. 

"Weeks many pass'd before there came a .ship 
In which to sail across the surg}' sea; 
And so the youth did meanwhile Wilfred lend 
In his work a helping hand; but when 
At last one came, Tom — that was his name — 
Sail'd not alone; for on the morn it sailed, 
Fair Edna, dashing off the line, " Twill all be well,' 



EDNA LANE. 



And leaving it where it would sure 
Arrest her mother's searching eye, — 
Bidding his old friend farewell, the lad 
Awaited near the shore his love's approach, — 
Stealing out under covert of low-spreading trees. 
It boarded unperceived, the 'Silver Spray.' 

"Soon they were wed; but soon the fickle bride 
Did weary of her lord, though he was kind. 

"Time onward roll'd; and, as the years rolled on. 
She long'd to see her childhood's rural home. 
To ask forgiveness of her parents dear, 
Once more to .sit the glowing hearth beside, 
'But what,' she thought, — and suddenly her heart grew chill, 
'If even now their loving forms lie lowl 
'Tis manj^ a year,' half-aloud at length she said, 
'Since last I saw my father's wrinkled brow, 
Or felt my mother's kind and gentle hand 
Smothing from my temples off the waving hair. 
Or play'd light-hearted uf>on the .sandy shore.'" 

"And," interposed I, "did .she return?" 

"She did return; but, friend, it was to find them gone." 

And here the trav'ler paused and heaved a sigh ; 
But presently resumed: "One April eve, 
As elK)n Night was fast enshrouding all, 
A poor lone wanderer did halt before my door. 
Begging shelter for the night, and was taken in, 

32 



EDNA LANE. 



Erelong, she ask'd if Wilfred lyane still lived,. 
Saying she was his child; that she 
Had follow'd across the sea a sailor-lad, 
Leaving for his sake parents, homestead, all, 
But had now deserted him ; Fortune on them had 
Frowned, else she had long since returned. 
On being told her parents both were dead, 
This penitent did vent a flood of tears, 
And ask'd that I would on the morrow mora, 
Attend her steps to where the lone hut stood. 

"So, when the first gray streaks of dawn appear'd, 
Forth from m}^ humble cottage hied we two; 
And, hast'ning now along the water's edge. 
Now up and up the rugged mountain's side. 
At length we stood by two green graves, 
Two lowly graves, o'er which the daisies peep'd. 
And there parted we; for, with a meaning motion 
Of her hand, she bade me go. But, passing 
On the eve of that same day the hut, 
I saw her ling' ring still upon the graves. 
And closer drawing, found her mute in death. 

"I consigned her, near her mother, to those cold 
Confines of clay, and oft, as to the sea I list, 
There will recur to me, to me there will recur 
Her life entire." The storm was o'er; 

The moon shone out; and, the embers dead upon the hearth, 

33 



EDNA LANE. 



My traveler, his story told, dashing from his cheek 
A tear aside, his way resumed; while 
A sadness long-enduring filled my soul. 

34 



RIP VAN WINKLE. 



K,IF V^^KT WI3SrK:i_.E. 



Unto the Kaatskills, heaven-high, 

An ancient village nestles nigh. 

Here there resided j-ears agone 

Rip Van Winkle, wideh' known. 

A mild, obliging mortal he — 

A termagant his partner she; — 

Fond of his cups, not so of real work, 

All kinds of which Rip was wont to shirk. 

The village urchins told he tales ghostly, 

Pla3''d marbles with them, taught them kites to fly. 

But many a quiet summer's day, 
Rip, with Wolf, would wend his way 
Some stream unto, a lengthy rod 
His hand within ; there sit and nod 
The day entire, though not a bite 
He should get from morn till night. 
For weary hours would he tramp 
Thro' tangled wood and gloomy swamp, 
To .shoot a .squirrel here and there; 
Wolf, half-fami.shed, ever near. 

But Madame Winkle, we have .said, 
Was termagant; and o'er the head 
35 



RIP VAN WINKLE. 



Of Rip and Wolf to pieces went 
Many a broomstick. — Termagant! 
Then down to the tavern h e would go , 
Thus him consoling in his woe, 
Tales telling with the sages there; 
Wet daj^s, within; in weather fair, 
The door beside, a bench upon; 
Nick Vedder moving with the sun, 
To keep within the scant}- shade 
A stunted weeping willow made. 

Sometimes a paper chanc'd to fall 
Into their hands, when silent all, 
Their mouths agape, would lean to hear 
Van Bummel read, the school-teacher; 
How sage would the)- deliberate 
For six months on events of state! 

But from the tavern Rip at length 

Was routed by the termagant. 
Then he would seek the solitude 

Of the thick surrounding wood. 

In such a ramble, one autumnal day. 

Rip had gained, all uncon.sciously, 

A dazzling height; somber shades 

lycngthening within the glades. 

Some time he lay upon a knoll of green, 

Casting around, and musing on the scene. 

36 



RIP VAN WINKLE. 



At length he rose and turned about ; 
When he heard a mortal shout. 
He cast around, but nothing saw 
Except a solitary crow. 
But "Rip Van Winkle!" once again 
With echoes filled the gloomy glen. 
Wolf gave a growl; and Rip began to fear, 
But a mortal seeing, to the same drew near. 
From Holland's shore the stranger he had come, 
Thickset and stout, and bore a keg of rum. 
Thick bushy hair, a grizzled beard had he; 
Buttons both sides, and buckles at the knee. 
He motioned Rip assist him with his load, 
Who helped him bear it up th' rugged road. 
As they ascended, ever}^ now and then 
Long rolling peals issued from a glen. 
Peals thunder-like, deep, low-muttering. 

People at length they came upon playing 
Nine-pins. All were quaint-clothed: 
A high-crowned hat had each upon his head; 
Short laced doublets had on they, 
Likewise breeches bagging at the knee; 
Red stockings had each, also high-heel'd shoes; 
Small piggish eyes, an enormous nose. 
They play in silence, never doth a smile 
Their broad red faces overspread the while. 

37 



RIP VAN WINKLE. 



Cup-bearer is he; and to his lip, 

No one looking, the thirsty Rip 

The liquid lifts, it splendid finds; 

The draught repeats, — his head declines. 

At last he woke. He rubbed his eyes: 
Birds hopped about; beneath the skies 
An eagle soared; but were gone 
Those playing as the sun went down. 
"Surely," said the yawning wight, 
' 'Sure I have not slept all night. ' ' 
His gun with rust was covered o'er: 
Rising, he found his joints were sore. 
Whistles he; time and again. 
Shouts .for Wolf: but all in vain. 

With heavy heart, he homeward turns. 
Of strange changes many learns. 
At length he reached his natal town, 
All stare at him, he knows no one. 
Urchins follow, pointing at his beard; 
On ev'ry .side a snarling dog is heard. 
The very garments that the people wore. 
From any differed, he had .seen before. 
Long rows of houses he had never seen. 
Stood where old familiar haunts had been. 
"Yon flows th' Huason, lordly, silver stream: — " 
To Rip Van Winkle all is as a dream . 
3S 



SIGNS OF SUMMER. 



Was it with, effort that he found the way 
His house unto, falhng 'to decay; 
Approaching he in silent awe the door; 
But still that tongue would be for evermore. 
The inn were gone and the willow-tree; / 
And we had gained our liberty. 
Twenty years had past and gone, -/ 

Since lay he in the Kaatskills down: 
Some time he talks of things of yoi'e, 
At last, lav down to rise no more. 



SIGNS OF SUMMER. 

Wen the buckeye is a-bloomin', an' the 
grass is gettin' green, 

Wen' the merc'ry is aspirin ','nn' housewives 
growin' mean, ■ ■■ -. '■ ■ 

Wen woodchuck, with a "chee-ouk!" doth 
seek the cherrj'-tree. 

Wen "Silas'' goes a-crawin', sleeves rol^'d 
up to the knee. 

Wen banks of white clouds slowly drift 
across the vault' d sky, 

Look out, my lads, for summer! sweet' sum- 
mer dravveth nigh. 
39 



SIGNS OF SUMMER. 



Wen humble-bee is hummin' a low an* 
drowsy tune, 

Wen lovers 'gin to linger 'neatli a threat.' - 
nin' moon, 

Wen tater-bug fully large as any half -quart 
cup, 

Waits serene upon a clod for tater to come 
up, 

Wen your mouth egzactly set is for green 
apple-pie, 

lyook out, my lads, for summer! sweet sum- 
mer draweth nigh. 

Wen from shaken carpets clouds of dust 
arise, 

Fillin' your foamin' mouth with mud> an* 
puttin' out both eyes. 

Wen hurricane in urchin-form doth rend 
the old peach-tree. 

Wen I feel about as lazy as I very well 
could be, 

Wen turkey-buzzards fully are immense 
enough to fry, 

Look out, my lads, for summer I sweet sum- 
mer draweth nigh. 



40 



AD PUERXJM. 



AD PUERUM. 

FROM HORACE. 

I hate the pomp of Persian, boj^; 
Bark-bound chaplets me anno}-: 
Give over searching where the rose 
Defy the snows. 

A simple myrtle- wreath provide, 
Naught prepare thou this beside: 
It doth become both me and mine. 
Beneath the vine. 

EPIGRAM. 

[on hendrick friend, a dude.] 
I can't conceive why Mother Earth 
In mortal so devoid of worth 
As Hend, 
Should be b}' Death compelled to take 
That much interest as to make 
Of him a bosom-Friend ! 



41 



RETURN OF SPRING. 



RETURN OF SPRING. 

*' However critics may take offense. 

A double meaning has a double senst. '— Pope. 

I wrote a poem once. It was about — 

Three feet long and ' ' Smiling Spring. ' ' 

Conscious I was I had not written 

In equally charming st^de 

With the author of " Idyls of the King, ' ' 

But all the while, 

I couldn't doubt 

But the editor would be smitten! 

I scarce could 'wait the coming check; 

Unto the Office daily hied, 

Certain of riches now, and fame. 

Soon I'd buy a Nancy Hanks! 

But, one day making wreck 

Of an envelope bearing my name, 

I read, stupefied, 

" Returned with thanks! " 



42 



A NIGHT IN MARCH. 



A NIGHT IN MARCH. 

Sparrows beat against the pane, 
Seeking refuge from the rain; 
I hear the cattle in the lane 
Loud lowing. 

Wildly toss the sombre pines; 
Madly rustling are the vines; 
White grow the Sleeper's clay confines; 
'Tis snowing. 

Dying low the embers are ; 
Twinkling faintly from afar, 
His persistent light a star 
Is showing. 



43 



BENEATH THE WAVES. 



BENEATH THE WAVES. 

How dear to this heart is the girl of my boyhood. 
When fond recollection presents her to view! 
The parlor, the buggy, the deep-tangled wild wood. 
And every loved spot which m^^ infancy knew; 
The wide-spreading table, or, rather, that on it, 
The bridge and the rock where the cataract fell; 
The lake of her father, the dairy-house nigh it, 
And e'en the new " derby " I knocked in the well! 

That moss-covered derby I hail as a treasure; 
P'or often, at eve, when returned from the field, 
I found it the source of an exquisite pleasure. 
The purest and .sweetest that castors can yield. 
How ardent I seized it, with hands that were glowing! 
And quick to the white, pebbly summit it fell! 
Then soon with the gush of boyhood o'erflowing, 
I hastened me out in quest of the — well ! 

How sweet from her bonnet blue to receive it. 
As, poised on the curb, I inclined to her lips! 
Not a full blushing goblet could tempt me to leave it. 
Though filled with the nectar that Jupiter sips. 
And now, far removed from the loved situation. 
The tear of regret will intrusively swell. 
As fancy reverts to her father's plantation. 
And sighs for the derby she knocked in the well; 
The shining new derby, the silken-bound derby. 
The four-dollar derby she knocked in the well ! 

44 



EPITAPH. 



EPITAPH. 

Here lies John Jones: 

All, all his bones 
Did the steed of the muses shiver. 

Ne'er was his spirit forced to glide 
At the shrunken body's side, 

Or adown the Stj'gian river; 
For the Public came and just, 

Above the bod 3% heaped the dust, 
In joy extreme. 

That at last, 
Jones had past 

Into the Lethean stream. 



45 



AD MAECENATEM. 



AD MAECENATEM. 

(from HORACE.) 

Maecenas, born of regal line, 
My pation and sweet glct}- mine, 
Some there are it cloth delight 
Olympian goal to graze in flight; 
This, if Romans, fickle race. 
Ample honors on him place; 
That, if bins his own contain 
Northern Afric's golden grain. 
A third delights to till the fields 
His father left: not Mysia yields 
The wealth, into the waters dark 
Would tempt him launch a Cyprian bark. 
Long as he dreads the rolling seas, 
The merchant lauds his city's ease; 
Soon again his ships are fraught, 
He poverty to endure untaught. 
Some neither spurn old Massic wine. 
Nor bowls defer till time to dine. 
Now stretch 'd where Phoebus fails to gleam, 
Now on the bank of sacred stream. 
Many the camp delights; and war, 
Which maid and matron both abhor. 



46 



BK IDLING PEGASUvS. 



The hunter tarries 'neath cold Jove, 
Unmindful of his tender love, 
If faithful dogs have seen a hind. 
Or splendid net boar-broken find. 
Me the mead of learned brows, ivy, 
Mingle with the gods above; me 
The cool grove and Nymphs that bide 
Therein, do from the common herd divide, 
If neither Euterpe doth refuse her fire. 
Nor Polyhymnia to touch th' Lesbian lyre. 
But if b}' thee with lyric bards classed, 
I shall strike the stars with exalted head. 

BRIDLING PEGASUS. 

You stinkin', stubborn, sulky beast. 
Ope, ope the mouth! receive the bit! 

Else once astride your back I am , 
You'll find I'll make you pay for it. 

I'll visit twenty dewy dells, 

An hundred visits pay the moon, 

A thousand times Wniona sing;— 
You won't, my lad, forget it soon! 

47 



SINE QUA NON. 



Medusa-sprung, wide-winged steed, 
The mouth ope up ! receive the bit ! 

Else once astride your back I am, 
You'll find I'll make 3'ou pay for it! 

SINE QUA NON. 

It was the first of April. 

Fingers in his hair, 
The editor sat at his desk, 

Spring poems everywhere. 

He failed to note the double rap 
Upon the " sanctum " door. 

That busy was he at the time 
Exploring Labrador I 

In speech instructed of the wife. 

In stepped a maiden mild: 
" Your spouse submits a poem " — 

" Poem " signifying " child. " 

The editor he then looked up; 

'N' falling into a fit 
Of abstraction, to the maid: 

" Do stamps accompany it ? " 



48 



WELCOME APRIL. 



WELCOME, APRIL! 

Welcome, month of bloom! 

Dispel the winter's gloom, 
Thus cheer these hearts of ours: 

Full long the snows have lain 
O'er woodland, hill and plain; — 
Resurrect the flowers! 

Full long the winds are mad; 

Mj' heart has long been sad; 
I long to be set free. 

Come! cause the stream to flow 
The drooping grass to grow, 
I beg of thee. 



49 



AFTERNOON IN FEBRUARY 



AFTERNOON IN FEBRUARY. 

■■ Arma vlrnmquc oaiio. " —Virgil. 
( 'nira piiciniiiKiue cano. 

The. lesson is ending, 

The rod is descending. 
His heart is frozen, 

My extremities dead; 

Through clouds like ashes 

The red rod flashes 
On trouser-legs, 

That glimmer red. 

Old Flogger recommences, 

The buried fences 
Mark no longer 

The road o'er the plain; 

While through the meadows. 

Like fearful shadows, 
I imagine 

A funeral train. 

The bell is pealing, — 

Yes, every feeling 
Within me suggests 

Me the dismal knell ; 

50 



THE POLITICIAN. 



Shadows are trailing, 

My heart is bewailing 
My trousers when 

I meet Cousin Belle! 

THE POLITICIAN. 

" ruiuslibot ri'i simulator at<iiif dissinmlator. " 

— SalluPt. 

He wears a flashy necktie. 

Likewise a watch and chain ; 
His homicidal toothpick shoes 

Quite prove his lack of brain. 

He kisses all the babies, 

The juice licks off each chin; 
To suffer breathing kegs go dry, 

He thinks it is a sin. 

He goeth to the races, 

Bets on the favorite; 
And with the rabble senseless whoops. 

And yells with all his might. 

He's tender to the maidens old. 

Twice so to those are young, 
And thinks each broken-winded song 

The sweetest ever sung. 

51 



THE LONE GRAVE. 



Oft his religion changeth. 

Now a narrow Baptistite, 
Perhaps you now will find him 

An excluding Campbellite. 

When see I him a-comin', 

I gently turn aside, 
For well I know full many a man 

His company in hath died. 

When once he's got his office, 

What care for you the chump ? 
" Sink or swim, live or die " — 

Just take your runnin' jump! 

THE LONE GRAVE. 

I stood by a grave at sunset. 

Reading the slab to know 
Who slept alone on that wild hill 

So sweetly there and low, 
I found it was an infant. 

Consigned in the long-ago. 

Softly purls the brook beneath the hill; 

O'er his lone grave the vernal grasses creep, 
The sighing zephyr breathes its balmy breath, 

And hoary Winter's wailing winds will sweep; 
But he neither knows, nor will know then, 

Naught can disturb the quiet of his sleep. 
52 



LINES, 

LINES. 

'' Break, break, my lyre, " — Millcwye. 
Know I do a maiden grown 

That cannot sew a button on, 
Nor make a punkin-pie; 

That cannot set a cluckin' hen, 
Nor chasten like a mother, " Ben, " — 

Go off to an asy — ! 

She thinks she was designed, I guess, 

A poodle doggie to caress, 
To take the train and buss! 

The average son of Adam had 
Hooded gate-post rather wed, 

Than such an ignoramus. 

" No way accomplished ? " — Latin, Greek, 
French, German can she speak — 

As well as any Moor ! 

She singeth sweetl}" — as an owl. 

Guitar can make " get up 'n' — howl," 
Can paint — a cellar-door! 

She's read "Johnson's Gulliver," 
" The Deserted Village of Cowper," 

Likes " Gray's In the Autumn Wood! " 
She's fond of " Milton's Gallic War, " 

Doth " Addison's Ivanhoe " abhor. 
Likewise " Lucile, b}- Hood!! " 

53 



AD L. SESTIUM. 



AD L. SBSTIUM. 

Beneath the pleasing change of spring, 
Austere winter taketh wing. 
Now ships are launched into the sea, 
And herds rush headlong o'er the lea. 
No longer now does delving swain 
Care at his fireside to remain; 
Now lovely Venus dares advance, 
'Neath threat 'ning moon to lead the dance. 
Now Nymphs and Graces, full of mirth, 
Strike with alternate foot the earth; 
While glowing Vulcan, plying well his art. 
The Thunderer forges many a direful dart. 
Now seemly 'tis to crown the head 
The myrtle wnth, the winter fled, 
To sacrifice in shady groves to Pan, 
Or with tender kid or spotless lamb. 
Pale Death, on equal foot, 
Knocks at palace and lowly hut. 
O happy Sestus, ever be 
Mindful of life's brevity. 
Upon thee soon will Night descend, 
Thee shades of fable presence lend, 
And grim Pluto's shadowy home 
Become, kind friend, also thine own. 



54 



REVERIES OF A BACHELOR. 

REVERIES OF A BACHELOR. 

No sighing deep, 

No loss of sleep, 
A heartless maiden over; 

No rides by night. 
O'er mountain height, 

Or thro' thick-tangled clover. 

No monstrous bills 

For sugar pills. 
For "lovely" silks and sats.; 

For ribbons rare, 
And braided hair. 

And twenty-dollar hats. 

No Uncle John 

To sponge upon 
His nephew for some weeks; 

No nasty cousins 
By the dozens 

To spoil all one's antiques. 

No gossip found 

Standing round. 
With a diabolic stare; 

Saying, " Molly Cox, 
I'll bet my .socks 

Them's not a happy pair. " 

55 



REVERIES OF A BACHELOR. 

No lecture after curtain's drawn, 
No pushing mower on the lawn, 

Upon a sultr}' eve; 

As higher, higher the mere 'ry goes. 

Water dripping off the nose, 
Or running down the sleeve. 

No noise about; 

No need of sprout, 
With which to chasten Neddy; 

With which to prove Andromache 
There's naught so good as "hick'ry tea, 

For one grown rather "head}'." 

No plate, no spoon, 

No buttons on. 
No friend, save only Tray; — 

I had a Maltese cat. 
But I've dispensed with that; — 

He's at this moment, doubtless, 
dozing in Bombay ! 

No cherry smile 

Helps beguile 
The care-infested da}-; 

No one to weep 
When valiant Sleep 

Shall have sealed my eyes for aye. 

56 



I REMEMBER. 



I REMEMBER, I REMEMBER. 

" I'dlx a parody." —Bailey. 

I remember, I remember 

The school-house, by the road, 
To which I turned me daily, 

Beneath a galling load 
O' Latin lexicons and Greek ;- 

Ah! then, full many a day 
I \vi.shed some sweeping hurricane 

Had borne 'em all away! 

I remember, I remember 

The master stern and grim. 
His old blue jeans, his rumpled shirt, 

His castor void of rim ! 
And, faintly I remember 

How he was used to set 
Upon me like a demon, — 

M3' leg 'tis smarting yet! 

I remember, I remember 

How I did hope to flog. 
In after 3'ears, as time should speed. 

This sullen pedagogue : 
It was a childish intent. 

But now 'tis little joy 
To know I've never met the man 

Since when I was a bo^- ! 

57 



A winter's night. 



A WINTER'S NIGHT. 

Wildly wail the winds to-night; 
The snow comes down unceasingly. 
Rend' ring spectral every tree; — 
The fire burns bright. 

Horses neigh, the cattle low, 
The old house creaks, a shutter slams. 
Piteous bleat the new-born lambs; — 
The fire burns low. 

The sturd)^ oaks are tost about, 
Tray scratches loudly at the door. 
The waves in iury lash the shore; — 
The fire is out. 



5S 



ABSTRACTION. 



ABSTRACTION. 

" Tlio attf'inpt an 1 not tho doM. '"-M icbeth. 

I am grown weary 

Of wan winter dreary, 
And long for spring. 

I long to look on cloudless sky, 
Into the violet's deep-blue eye, 

To hear the — buzzard sing; 

Returning foliage to see, 

The — donkey skipping o'er the lea, 
To muse near thund'ring flood; 

In bloom to see the — youth's mustache. 
To cease to-dine on bull-beef hash, 

To stroll through verdant wood. 

I long to look on — dark- brown hair, 
To catch her footstep on the stair, - 

To witness end of gloom ; 

To note the drowsy hum of bees, 

To see the ships come o'er the seas, 
Cold Winter in his tomb. 



59 



creation's last. 



CREATION'S LAST. 

Odi profannm valgus ct arceo." — Ildrace. 

' I liud ratlicT l)t' a kitten, and cry mow! ""—Shake. 



Of all things I detest 

Beneath the glowing sun. 

It is what themselve.s do 

Style the " New Woman. " 

Her head contains no more of sense 
Than any gourd, I know! — 

But she doth of that little make 
A never-ceasing show. 

She craveth "Woman Suffrage," — 
Is " hampered by the law." 

Desires to rise above her 
" lyong-subjected Maw! " 

Sherideth a bicj^cle; 

If race is to be run, 
Doffing her obsolescent dress, 

And ■' bloomers " putting on. 

lyCt others call upon her, 

For me I'll stay away : 
To accept, I'd hate to be 

Compelled of courtes}'! 



60 



E PLURIBUS UNUM. 



AD MAECENATEM. 

(fragment from HORACE.) 

I shall be praised throughout the north; 
Of the Colchian, too, shall I be known; 
The Spaniard come to know my worth, 
And he who quaffs the waters of the Rhone. 



E PLURIBUS UNUM. 

On Bedford Row, 

Some years ago, 
Resided Jerry Junkin; 

Tall and spare, 

His long hair 
Outpunkining punkin! 

He loved a lass. 

One Miss Glass; 
Was, nevertheless, opaque: 

Heavy as our country's debt, 

As hand of him with house to let. 
Or as a beauty's cake. 

6i 



E PI^URIBUS UNUM. 



However all 

Of Pall Mall— 
The Browns — 

Said she was ' ' devoid of pence 

Consequently, had no sense, — 
She didn't lack for pounds! 



Respects he paid 

Unto the maid 
Upon a night in June; 

A balmy air, 

Many a star, 
And full moon. 



He, kneeling dowii 

The carpet on. 
Began a tale relate : 

' ' M}' onl}" love ! 

My little dove! " — 
And he had met his fat-e! 



62 



AD VENEREM, 



She ruled the roast: 

She ate the toast, 
And all the muffins hot; 

She didn't stoop 

To help to soup — 
Just let him " go to pot ! " 

He leaves his bride 

At last--he died. 
How did it come to pass ? 

Well, I to 5'ou 

Will tell it true- 
He swallow 'd too much Glass! 

AD VENEREM. 

(from HORACE.) 

Venus, thou that rulest o'er 
Cnidus and the Cyprian shore, 

From loved Cyprus hie away 
Into the home of Glycera. 

May glowing Cupid thee attend; 

May thee the Nymphs their number lend; 
May youthful Hebe also come. 

And pleasing Mercury, Maia's son. 



63 



AD TOROUATUM. 



EPIGRAM. 

Mortal, forbear to breathe a word 
Over the Congress Fi ft}' -Third: 

Seek not to mar its sleep profound, 

Since thus it " runs it in the ground! " 



AD TORQUATUM. 

(from HORACE.) 

The snows are fled; the fields are green, 
The trees assume their leaves again : 
Changes the earth; and from its bed 
The swollen river rushes red: 
Now Nymphs and Graces dare advance, 
On nimble foot to lead the dance. 
Hope not, dear friend, always to live; 
Of this the years kind warning give. 
Winter melts at spring's approach, 
On spring the summer dares encroach, 

64 



AD TOROUATUM. 



Doomed in its turn to fade away, 

As soon as autumn claim the sway. 

Once passing down to Pluto's spacious reign, 

Dust and shadowy forms there we remain. 

What mortal knows whether another hour 

Will him be grant'd by the Thund'ring Pow'r? 

Which thou shalt have bestowed on thee, 

Never by heir will squandered be, 

When thou hast past to the realms below, 

To endless bliss or ever-during woe: 

Nor rank, O friend, nor eloquence. 

Will thee obtain a passage thence. 

Fair Luna toils to break the chain 

Thesides binds, but toils in vain; 

And Theseus vainly strives to rend 

The fetters of L,ethe, that clasp his friend. 



65 



LOVE AND LEAD. 



LOVE AND LEAD. 

" LoiiKC aliiid virgincs rapero, aliml iniKiian- cum 
viris. " — Livy. 

There whilom dwelt at Malverow 

A certain maid — her name was Snow — 

That had a most persistent Ijeau, 

Nomine, Abram Kerr. 
When tell 1 3'oii how acted he 
One morning at the stroke of three, 
I think with me you will agree 

He was extremely fond of her. 



Falling within her chair asleep, 
He to her side did softl}^ creep, — 
The fruits of folly sowers reap-— 

Into her check his teeth he soused. 
Her sire the parlor rush'd into, 
Trouserless, devoid of shoe — 
But in his hands were pistols two, — 

From sleep by Stella's screams aroused. 



66 



ON THE ROUNDS. 



The guns went off, tlie hissing- lead 
Athwart a dewy violet-bed 
Abraham it stretched dead, 

I do aver. 
Failing the dog to recognize, 
Snow unto the body hies. 
Poinding beneath the starry skies 

Only A. Kerr! 

ON THE ROUNDS. 



" Really now, " said vSusan vSophronisba Redd, 
As she her untied bonnet laid upon the bed, 

Really now, there isn't much of news to tell. 
I su]:)pose yon lieard how Jinnny vSampson fell 
From chair, and broke an arm, head within a jar 
Of peach preserves — I caught this on the car ? 
Then Bettie Belinda Bradley Brown is dead, 
And Si Dobbs has lost the last tooth in his head. 
Bill Skaggshas bought a l:)Uggy— for which he has'nt paid- 
And they say that Monday Miss Bonner's "Biddy" laid 
Two eggs. Ha, ha, ha! how Miss Jones did smack 
That cook of hers, because she burnt the biscuit black, 
Oh, yes! my little Jerry, just forty months in all, 
Has actually begun, Alicia Smith, to - crawl! 
But I must go. Alicia, Mr. vSmith. and Prue, 
Henry, Jonas, Johnny. Come over, all of you. ' ' 

r,7 



OCTOBER. 



OCTOBER. 

Flowers are d5nng, 
Winds are sighing, 
Clouds are flying 

Ever so fast; 
Rooks are calling, 
Red leaves falling- 
Quails appalling- 
Rustle past. 

The sun is failing. 
The grasses paling. 
Pauper's bewailing 

Abundance's last; 
Urchins are nutting. 
Apples are blushing, 
Corn is a-husking. — 

November's blast! 



NOVEMBER. 



NOVEMBER. 

November is here. 
Dead leaves sere 
Are scattered by each blast; 
The somber raven seeks his food 

In cornfield and thick-shelf ring wood; 
The sky is overcast. 

Little heat there is of sun; 

Bedeck the mead gay flowers none;- 

Ruthless November! 

While walking thro' the grove, is heard 

By me no caroling of bird;- 
Month to remember! 



69 



NOTE. 



Note 



If "The Wrath of Achilles" be read at 
all, let the following lines be substituted : 

13. Throiiglidut the camp of Gi-ecia fly 

15. Of mortals many: old ( 'hrysos 

31. Hence, hence, old man: up, rise, away! 

32. Be thou not caught another day 

33. The ships among, lest there fail 

50, Spoke thus the priest, and Apoll(» hears. 

57. He first employs on dogs and mnles his art, 

59. Blaze constantly the funeral pyres. 

67. Let us now slide each vessel down the steep, 

68, And plough again the hoai-se-resounding deep. 
79. O son of Thetisl you bid me to explain 

81. And so I shall; hut swear to me you lend 

82. Unto me succor, both with word and hand: 

83. I think that I shall fail the heart to please 

84. Of the Grecian king, wide-ruling Atrides. 
88. Will he some day give full certain vent. 

12G. No common plunder heajts for us the plain: 

128. Are app<irtioncd us, apportioned past recall: 

129. But if thou wilt the maiden send away, 

130. The great-souled Greeks will fully thee repay, 
139. The Grecians fail on me confer 

152. Through the surging waters dark: 
155, With sacred deeds, that thou assuage 



70 



NOTE. 

156. For us, Apollo's deadly rage. 

188. Launch thou thy keels curved o'er the steep 

200, Before thine own fierce-flashing eyes, 

201. I will hear away tliy hlooming prize. 

20G, While doubting thus, and drawing out the blade, 

207. From heaven swift descends the martial maid: 

210. Behind Pelides the goddess takes a stand, 

211. His yellow locks caught quickly in her hand. 

212. He, trembling, turns; did straightway recognize 

213. The royal messenger of the starry skies: 

214. Wrapt she in clouds, to Thetis' son alone 

215. The fierce-ey'd Pallas Athena's presence known. 

232. Meanwhile tlio goddess, thence departing, hies 

233. Back to her mother's mansion in the skies. 

237. Danger with the sons of Greece to share: 

238. Much better it is before liis eyes, 

240. By this my sceptre, tlie Achaean host 

241. Shall long for the monarch to it lost, 

242. When hoary Priam's homicidal boy 

243. Heaps warriors with the dusty plain of Troy. 
200. Full often sailingfrom my natal shore, 

270. Let not the bravest of the Grecian band 

314. Nor did Atrides, king of men, forget 

315. That he once did swift Achilles threat: 
310. Eury))ates, Taltliybius, by far the l)cst 
3i7. Of heralds his, Atrides thus addrest: 

318. To the ample tent of god-like Pelides, 

319. And hither bring me fair-cheeked Briseis: 

321. When come with more, myself will hear 

322, The maiden tlience: but it shall be 
.327. ILird l)y a ship fleet, weather-brown'd, 
.328. They the greatest of the Grecians found: 
329. Nor did the presence of the heralds please 



71 



c^<> 



NOTE. 

330, The pensive soul of god-like Pclidcs. 

331. Tremhliiig and silent the hidden stand, 

333, But Achilles swift within liis trouhled mind. 

337. Before me hlameless hoth you mortals are, 

£45. Patroclus then his comrade dear oheyed, 

346, And from the tent the captive maiden led: 

348. A-weeping she treads the Ixirren coast. 

349. Achilles apart ii-om his martial train, 

350. Tearful a-gadng out ov^er the main. 
355. But now, alas! Ix'fore my eyes, the son 

360. Achilles to tlie comely goddess hied 

361. (Mist-like she rose from the watery waste); 

362. Why weeps my child? (she liim addrest) 
416, Tear chasing tear adown her ruddy cheeks: 
423. Here sitting by the moaning main, 

477. But wlien began Aurora's clKck to tiush. 

478- Down they tlien into the vessel rusli: 

491. The nymph again fron:i the sounding sea 

492. Rose, mindful still of her pr< )geny. 

507. Let now the Trojans lieap the plain 

508. With bodies of Achaeans slain, 

535. Thus down he sat on the golden throne, 

560. Thou wilt upon Pelides honor heap, 

599. And as they saw Hephaistos minist'ring, 

600. They cause with mirth the lieavens higli to ring. 
604. And sweet the Nine alternate sing. 



72 















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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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